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Friday, November 23, 2007

Battle for the Commonwealth Virginia Virginia Tech

The winner will go to the ACC Championship Game in Jacksonville to play Boston College next week. This rivalry has heated up in the last few years since Virginia Tech joined the ACC in 2004. The matchup features if the highest rankings ever in the series (VT 8th, UVA 16th). The series has been dominated by the Hokies as they have won last the last 3 by a score of 93-29 and 7 of the last 8.

The Cavaliers are undefeated at home this year and have a total of 5 games by 2 points or less, which is an NCAA record. They have one of the best defensive ends in Chris Long who ranks 5th nationally in sacks. The other 10 guys are also getting it done – the defense ranks 10th nationally in scoring defense and 20th in rushing defense.

The Hokies are no slouches on defense either. They rank in the top 6 in scoring defense, pass efficiency, rush defense, and total defense. The Hokies are also very adept at creating turnovers ranking 8th in the nation.

A total under 40 points catches most peoples eye’s but it justified by two teams who rank 99th (Virginia) and 103rd (Virginia Tech) in total offense.

The Hokies are accustomed to winning on the road as they are 11-1 away from Blacksburg since joining the ACC in 2004. Virginia comes into this game with a chip on their shoulder – they are underdogs at home and play second fiddle when it comes to football in the commonwealth. All that being said, I still like VT in this one.